Iris Mae Root

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/YxP_x8ClhG4 

Iris Mae Root, 92 passed away Wednesday, Aug 30, 2023 at Valley Senior Living on Columbia, where she had resided since 2021. 

Iris Mae Swangler was born June 22, 1931, at the family home to R.P and Evelyn (Corcoran) Swangler in the family home on 7th Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND.  She was the third child of thirteen.  She attended St Michael’s Primary School and St James High School.   As a teenager she was employed at the Kegs Drive-In. In 1949, she married Gary Waltman. They built a home on 7th Avenue North where she spent her entire life.  She and Gary had four daughters together.   Early in her married life she was employed at the States Cleaners.  They later divorced.  She was a skilled seamstress and often sewed matching clothing for herself and her daughters.  She was employed at UND, the Westward Ho Motel, Dietrich Bus Service and sold Avon for over 20 years.  

As a young adult Iris was involved in a serious car accident that nearly took her life.  With extensive therapy she had to re-learn basic skills and had to learn how to walk again. 

Iris enjoyed keeping a vegetable garden that included a lot of flowers most of her life, square dancing, Bingo, and an occasional trip out west to see her daughters and grandchildren. She was a member of a quilting group and a bowling league. She was a long-term member of Wesley United Methodist Church which she joined in 1952 and was involved in the women’s group there.  She also enjoyed Minnesota Twins baseball.

She is survived by her daughters, Linda Starr Bonasera of Santa Cruz, California, Sandra Waltman of Ferndale, Washington, Susan (Kurt) Kile of Livermore, California and Lori (Greg) Saure of Reynolds, ND; grandchildren Che’, Amber, Aaron, Lewis, Naomi,  Rozalin, Kristina, Gregg and Wendy  and 19  great- grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Lund, Marilyn Larson, Ann (John) Janusz, Rosemary (Marv) Kennedy; brothers, Frank (Pat) Swangler, Edward (Carol) Swangler, Jerry (Yvonne) Swangler, and Richie (Cheryl) Swangler, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, George, Joseph, James, and Michael, and also a special friend Robin “Butch” Patterson.  

Iris’s daughters would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of Valley Senior Living on Columbia and also to the staff of Hospice of the Red River Valley for their caring and compassionate care.  

Memorials may be given in Iris’s name to a charity of your choice.   

Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Amundson Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Amundson Funeral Home.